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Monday morning saw the State Government announce an upgrade of the Rail line from Leeton to Junee worth over $60 million. New South Wales Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight, Melinda Pavey made the announcement flanked by a number of regional Mayors and the Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke and the Member for Murray Austin Evans. It is hoped that the multi million dollar upgrade will alllow freight to be moved at a faster speed.
The 170 kilometres of track will be upgraded to carry 25 tonnes of weight per axle compared to the current load of 25 tonnes per axle allowed. Speed will be increased from 50 kph to 80kph. Up to 200 tonnes of freight may now be moved off the region’s roads Leeton Shire Council Mayor Paul Maytom said, “We have waited a long time for this.” Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said, “To see this investment through fixing country rail is fantastic. This is just the start. We take rail very seriously as the Nationals. There’s enormous potential there. Rail is seeing a renaissance.”
Member for Murray Austin Evans said, “Industries in the region would be the big winners after the upgrade.” “We have wine, cotton, rice and more, that we need to ship out of this area onto the main freight line, so this is going to increase that efficiency and that is just fantastic for our region,” he said.
SFF spokesman Matthew Stadtmiller said, “It’s good to see the Government spending our money investing in our electorate and it is from pressure applied by the Shooters Fishers and Farmers at the most recent by-election in October, which has made this happen. By making these seats marginal residents will get results. I think it is the Nationals trying to divert attention away from the fact they are doing little helping farmers through this drought, which is being described as heading towards as bad as 1982. Where are Steph Cooke and Austin Evans on drought when our farmers need them? $60 million would have bought a lot of fodder. Their priorities may be in the wrong place with the current drought crisis but it’s a win for the area and about time.”
